Overview

A man could spend decades in prison after the U.S. attorney’s office says he was caught trying to sell cocaine.

Omar Aponte Vellon, 29, also known as Chambo, is facing charges. Prosecutors say authorities intercepted two half-kilo packages this month that were sent from Puerto Rico to a house on Buffalo’s east side. Hochul says Vellon, who is from Puerto Rico, accepted one of those packages from the house Friday.

He’s being charged with attempt to possess with intent to distribute. The charge carries a sentence of between 5 and 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Vellon is scheduled for a detention hearing Thursday.